Planning on buying my first bass.

Mija · #1 04-21-2006, 01:34 AM

I've been told that it might be very difficult for me though. I'm 4'9"...shorter arms, very small hands. I don't have any specific aspirations, I just want to have fun with it. I don't want to be disappointed though and find that I'm just too small. What does anyone think? Your input is appreciated.

Correlli · #2 04-21-2006, 01:40 AM

I recommend that you have a go.

Bass guitars can be setup in a way that's very playable.

Mija · #3 04-21-2006, 01:45 AM

Cool. I really want to play. I just figured I'd ask some people with experience. Thanks a lot.

Correlli · #4 04-21-2006, 01:59 AM

No prob's.

have fun.

predmachine · #5 04-21-2006, 08:06 AM

Hey Mija. Great to hear you're interested. I too have smaller than average hands, but it's never been a problem. When I started I learned on a short scale Fender Mustang. They have a great sound and a short neck. I still have it as well as a short scale Hofner knockoff. (I also have a Fender Jazz (regular scale-narrow neck) and a Fender Precision. If you have the drive and the commitment, you'll be a great player!

Mija · #6 04-21-2006, 10:06 AM

Sweet! Sounds good,

davetakis · #7 04-21-2006, 10:11 AM

mija,
good luck. if you need some suggestions for a first bass i would go with the epiphone eb-o copy or the gretsch electromatic. they are short scale affordable basses that you will really like.

Mija · #8 04-21-2006, 10:29 AM

So does that mean I should go for a four string and not a five?

davetakis · #9 04-21-2006, 10:54 AM

up to you but i can only play 4 string so.........i would definatley start short scale though.

Rocker949 · #10 04-21-2006, 04:40 PM

I'm not sure about the Epiphone EB-O. I recently ordered one and had some problems. So I sent it back. I was under the impression that it would be at least somewhat like the original Gibson EB-O. I have a 1963 Gibson EB-O. But the Epi had serious intonation problems. Plus, the headstock is way wider and heavier than a Gibson. Even if it had sounded good, it would have been awkward to play (at least for me). The neck kept sliding to the floor. The Gibson doesn't have that problem at all. The guy I talked to at MusiciansFriend said they had had a lot of problems with Epiphone since the factory was moved from Korea to China. So that may have been the problem. I wasn't even aware that the factory had been moved.

IanStephenson · #11 04-21-2006, 05:11 PM

When you get better a five string might actually help you, as you can avoid big stretches by moving across strings. However in the short term the extra physical size and weight could be a problem, so a 4 is probably more approachable.

You may have problems finding a short scale (32") - it's definatly the way to go, but they're not that common. You can get the same effect by sticking a cappo on a regular bass at the second fret, and then re-tuning it (also you can cheat and put the capo even higher until you get used to the stretch!). It's probably easiest to round up a cheap (begged/borrowed) regular scale bass and just try it out.

Ian

Wesley R · #12 04-21-2006, 05:28 PM

1. Congrats
2. You are not to small
3. many choices
4. An old Guild would probably fit well
5. Have fun

Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

Mija · #13 04-21-2006, 06:21 PM

Thanks again everyone for the info.

davetakis · #14 04-22-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocker949

I'm not sure about the Epiphone EB-O. I recently ordered one and had some problems. So I sent it back. I was under the impression that it would be at least somewhat like the original Gibson EB-O. I have a 1963 Gibson EB-O. But the Epi had serious intonation problems. Plus, the headstock is way wider and heavier than a Gibson. Even if it had sounded good, it would have been awkward to play (at least for me). The neck kept sliding to the floor. The Gibson doesn't have that problem at all. The guy I talked to at MusiciansFriend said they had had a lot of problems with Epiphone since the factory was moved from Korea to China. So that may have been the problem. I wasn't even aware that the factory had been moved.

rocker,
cool thanks for the info. i didnt know they moved the factory either. i had played one a few weeks ago and it felt ok but not great. i thought it was just me.

lola99 · #15 04-30-2006, 03:03 PM

Mija, I'm 5'2", my hands are not huge. I started playing full-scale bass a few months ago, and after a couple of weeks of shoulder/arm/hand pain all is well. I'm a horrible player, but that has more to do with complete and utter lack of talent than with the size of my hands.
Playing an instrument you love the sound of is fun and addictive. Find one you like the feel of and have lots of fun!

mad_man_moon61 · #16 04-30-2006, 04:12 PM

Hi Mija,
Consider RondoMusic: http://www.rondomusic.net/index.html
They have several short scale basses at good prices.
Quality is better than many other low end instruments out
there and service is really good.

Cheers,
Douglas
Texas

chasfr · #17 04-30-2006, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad_man_moon61

Hi Mija,
Consider RondoMusic: http://www.rondomusic.net/index.html
They have several short scale basses at good prices.
Quality is better than many other low end instruments out
there and service is really good.

Cheers,
Douglas
Texas

+1 on the shortscale basses from Rondo. I'm small handed, and I love my SX SJB-62 30" scale. And at $110, you can't beat the price.

good luck!
Chas